Douglas fir forests are found along the coast from central British Columbia to California. These trees are also found inland into the mountains. Douglas fir can live for 1,000 years and is one of the world’s tallest trees. It can grow to a height of 300 feet and can have a diameter of 13 feet. An important tree for building, it’s regularly logged to make the lumber for house construction. Although many of these giants have been logged, some good specimens remain on the west coast of Vancouver Island in such places as the Clayquot, Carmana, and Klanawa rain forests. Besides this, some easily-reached specimens are found in MacMillan Provincial Park.
This cache takes you to a large (not giant) Douglas fir. Not having any way to be certain of its age, I can only make a guess. Based on its size and location, I would guess it to be between 50 and 100 years old. Whereas a Douglas fir tree within the forest loses its lower branches with age, ones in the open (such as this specimen) may retain the lower branches and they grow much closer to the ground. Take note that this one’s lower ones have been cut off.
Look up the trunk of this tree and you’ll see what appear to be a streams of tears from weeping, and in the sun they sparkle like water rivulets. This dripping sap is common in the Douglas fir and may be there for a variety of reasons. Certainly, it’s a great natural trap for any insect that wants to invade the tree or has already invaded it. The sap’s very sticky and may be difficult to remove with the limited resources you have with you. However, there’s no need for you to touch the tree as the cache isn’t on or super close to it.
The cache isn’t in a high muggle area as the nearby old school is no longer regularly used, and the little-used park is on the other side of the building. However, from time to time, the school is used for in-services, particularly by the police force. You’re looking for a micro bison tube. Parking is nearby and you may bring your geo-pup to help with your hunt.
With the new cache, for the FTF, is my favourite caching buddy. Mine has been with me from the beginning and has visited every cache.
Congratulations, MulderClan on your FTF. Although I knew the cache was published late in the day, I didn't expect to see anybody at it before the next day.